Charter Oak International Academy Construction Progressing

WEST HARTFORD — School officials met with parents at Charter Oak International Academy Wednesday to discuss progress on the new school building's construction.

The $42 million building project is in its fifth week, and crews have been moving soil and relocating utility lines in preparation for foundations, according to Robert Palmer, the town's plant and facilities director.

There are still areas of temporary fencing, which will be replaced with more permanent fencing once utility lines, currently located where the new building will be constructed, are re-routed, Palmer said.

Because the new building is being constructed next to the existing structure, which will be demolished once the new school is complete, the construction site is in close proximity to student activities.

About 20 parents attended the meeting Wednesday, and some expressed concern after a tree that was being removed by Gerber Construction workers smashed into a window on March 19. No one was injured, and though some students were arriving early for school when the accident occurred, children were kept away from the area.

Palmer said Fusco Corp., which is managing construction, will pay for a replacement window to be custom made, and a safety audit was conducted after the mishap.

"Right now we're probably in the most precarious state as far as proximity to the school," said Bryan D'Orlando, project manager for Fusco. "We're here to try to instill confidence, keep your confidence, and get your confidence back."

He said construction workers have been instructed not to interact with students, and workers have unique numbered stickers on their helmets, so anyone who witnesses any sort of misconduct can report workers individually.

Some parents also complained about delivery trucks using residential roads, and D'Orlando said he's doing his best to keep trucks on New Park and Flatbush avenues.

D'Orlando said the company also plans to put a webcam at the site in the next few weeks so students and parents can view construction online. Fusco employees also attended a recent career day and are open to speaking further with students about the construction process, he said.